We are going to setup survelliance cameras in our retail locations. I am considering purchasing thru CompUSA because there is a retail location close by.

Most our location will need 4 cameras (1 for front door, 1 for rear access door, and 2 for the floor).

I am thinking on a system like the Qsee maybe, and use CMOS cameras for the inside and CCD for the outside (not sure if I will mount inside or outside, I guess it will depend on the store)

So, here is my question, do you guys have a recommendation? I would like the DVR to have VGA connection, because I have a lot of spare 15" monitors. We would also like to access the DVR from a cell phone, but I am not sure I am married to the idea since cell phones change all the time.

16 Replies

In this day and age unless you want bells and whistles or plan an enterprise security system any DVR + cameras is as good as any other. Most DVRs have web interface so you can check your cameras via a supported browser. It's not uncommon for some one to look at their cameras on their iPad. Just dig for some specs, and find what you are looking for in a DVR. There are lots of them out there and you can get them cheap with cameras these days.

We moved from a 16 channel DVR to a Luxriot based IP system a few years ago. A lot more flexibility and adding IP cameras is as simple as plugging them into your closest switch.

I would set my expectations of an analog DVR system low - they offer very low resolution (about 420-500 lines) depending on the camera.

I'm going to attach two photos to show the difference between a 3 MP Mobotix M12 camera versus a 420 line analog camera in our facility. The first attachment is the 420. I'll repost the 3MP camera image at the same parking lot view, slightly different position.

Most of the time, just having cameras where people see them is a deterrent. They don't know what you can and can't see.

Some of these DVR's out there are getting SXGA resolution. That is something I would push for in a DVR would be at least a megapixel of resolution.

The other thing I remember from the DVR days was that we had to stop recording in order to view the archive. That is easy to forget to start recording again. Each DVR is different but that would be something to note when searching for a DVR.

The problem with the IP based solution is the cost to set everything up. Cameras are more expensive, and they don't include a recording space (DVR), since they use a PC, but our PCs at the locations won't work for it and are pretty locked down, so I will have to setup a new PC. Since all locations will require cabling anyhow I am looking at new PC, plus supporting the PC (Updates, locking it down so it does not get used), running cat5, mounting cameras, setting up software.

With a DVR and camera I still have to do cabling, but I don't have to worry about setting up a PC. As Deacon6908 said, they are more for deterrent. Some of the locations have warehouse in the back, and they would like to be able to see the front when the guys are in the back (reason why I want a VGA connection to the DVR) since we only have 1 person in the location most of the day. The cameras for the front came as an idea because we had some stupid vandalism, where someone has been removing lettering from the windows, and that vinyl can be quite expensive. Our product is heavy (200~300 lbs) fitness equipment, so we don't have to worry about people stealing from the floor, just be able to check stupid details (like..is the store open?).

The have a range of 30 to 40 ft, but that should be fine. To be honest I don't think we would deploy cameras if it cost us more than 600$ per location. Maybe for our bigger locations I can look for a higher quality camera, but I will need some recommendations there.

1st Post

Hi,

I also plan to setup an IP based solution in our office, and am considering Synology's NAS solutions. They are relatively inexpensive, full of interesting features, and can work with virtually any kind of IP camera available on the market.

By the way, we don't need real-time monitoring, just recording. So a web-interface-only system is fine.

700$ including the 8x100ft extension cables (which were 29.99 each). I am configuring the box now and I will go and install it tomorrow. The quality is OK for indoor, the night quality is actually much better than what I expected. Range is 30 to 40 ft, but that should be OK for us.

The cables that come enclosed are kind of cheap built. Some don't fit easily and have to be forced, but considering it needs to be connected once, it will be ok. Night OWL also has its own DDNS, but can support also 3322 and DynDNS. I wished they supported OpenDNS that way I don't have to setup another account, but Own's web site supports multiple domains so I guess I will use that. I will update on Monday and Tuesday about the experience in general

ok, I installed the setup on Friday. I did not finish completely since I worked from 9 AM to 10 PM and I needed to go in my mini vacation, but here are my thoughts.

The NightOWL system actually works quite well, I am watching it remotely at the moment from 100 miles away.

Cameras: The cameras themselves are OK, better than what I expected at the price point. Cameras are small, which is great because they are less conspicuous. Definition is also OK, you won't be able to get a lot of detail, but it is understandable. I can see a bold tall man with a horse shoe mustache at about 30 ft . For what we need it (to see if someone is there) it is good.

Cables: The included 60ft cables should be enought for home use, but extensions are easy to get. The included cables sometimes don't fit easily into the cameras connector (had that problem with 2 cameras). The 100ft extension cables from NightOwl (separate) are actually better, and thicker. I have a camera extended twice, so with a total of 260 ft still works (the other camera in the same position does not work, but I narrow it down to the middle extension cable must be broken (it was a though run)

DVR: the DVR is the best part. Having in consideration that it is a cheap system and not a full fledged professional system, it was a lot better than I expected. The front looks a little cheap, but not too muh. The rest of the case is steel with a black mate finish. The software needs a little work, but it is pretty good and usable. My only problem is that there is no way to set alarms by camera. The rest of the settings are per camera, so you can set different recording schedules to different cameras, and set different sections to detect motion (helpful for our store front look camera, where I deactivated the sections of the window (there are always cars passing by) and the balloons that float in the store :). I can set almost all settings remotely, and the hierarchy makes sense. I read the manual, but mostly I did not needed.

Manual: The manual itself could use some work. It is simple, but then again too simple. Almost like someone went thru the menu and explained a little better the functions. For example, it says that password need to be minimum 6 characters. Well, I can tell you passwords can only be 6 (not 7, or 8, it will only take 6). There is no description about the user levels either, I had to figure it by trial and error.

Software: The included CD has all the software, with newer versions that in the web site (the web site download needs to be updated) The CD includes the desktop viewer (basically an ActiveX player), Mac version of the desktop viewer, Android, and other tools that I haven't tried.

The desktop viewer and the IE viewer are exactly the same. The viewer is quick enough for internet view.

Our sales manager has an iPhone, so he will try the viewer later this week, and I will try the android part.

I wasn't able to find firmware updates for the DVR though.

The system has a NightOWL DDNS that can support multiple domains. That will come in handy when I deploy more systems

The included hardware (screws and anchors) are very cheap and break easily, so I recommend using your own.

I am thinking on upgrading a couple of cameras in corporate to IP cameras because we do need more quality.

Here is why we use Mobotix M12. They have dual sensors, one cam for day, one for night. If you need to see in low light - these things are great with minimal image noise. The software in them is superb and well engineered. Also, using POE they require no heat or blower - they don't fog or otherwise fail. Other outdoor cams need an enclosure built and power to run the blowers and heaters. By the time you build out a kit with two cameras and IR illumination, you are close to the same price.

We also use AXIS for IP cameras, and Panasonic are nice (although I have none).

The guy I buy them from around here from all his experience putting IP systems in large grocery store chains is that Japanese Cameras and German Cameras (Panasonic and Mobotix) are the best he's used. Apparently most cameras are Chinese and can be less expensive but have higher failure rates.

I have collegues using Arecont Vision cameras as well and they are happy with them.